BT and BPI in a row over actions on 100,000 illegal downloaders
Many are on the sidelines anticipating the outcome of the debate between UK’s leader in broadband services and the British Pornographic Industry (BPI).
The astounding claim of 100,000 illegal downloaders using BT Broadband made by the BPI was rejected by BT, saying the evidence provided by BPI is erroneous. The numbers consists of broadband users within the BT bandwidth suspected of sharing files illegally, but the ISP said that only a small fraction were actually correct IP addresses linked to their customers.
BT was not only taken aback by accusations of inaction, it also claimed that the submitted information was inaccurate and could not be substantiated sufficiently for them to take action against the alleged illegal downloaders. The company also said they have agreed to send out letters to a thousand suspected illegal downloaders at the turn of this year.
But this doesn’t seem enough. The chief executive of BPI, Geoff Taylor, expressed dismay over the lack of action from BT on their noted subscribers involved in piracy. Further, the BPI pointed out that a leader such as BT should do something about having a high traffic of illegal materials. Taylor said, operating a commercial service in the knowledge that is used as an avenue by criminals should not be tolerated, and BT should take steps right away to ensure that such breaking of laws will be corrected within their company. He further highlighted such action should be conducted at the expense of BT’s funds and not imposed on its consumers through higher bills.
Contrary to innuendos that it’s merely protecting its subscribers by saying so, BT clarified it is merely defending its services within the bounds of law, and will not take action just yet as they may be simply caught in a tricky situation with BPI.
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BT offers twice its current internet speed in 2011
Every internet service company seems to be offering faster speed, but BT is way ahead with its plan to provide 24Mb by year 2011. This will mean almost doubling its current ADSL+2 service reach to over 75% of homes and businesses in the United Kingdom.
This recent announcement from BT was most welcome considering it will make the download time of music just a few seconds, and TV programs just a few minutes. The company currently provides 8Mb speed to most of its subscribers, with variations in certain regions due to phone exchange line and proximity.
Having the BT ADSL+2 in any telephone exchange will mean that more people could avail of faster connections, and at the same time increase speeds in slow lines.
On the other hand, BT is also undertaking building of an ultimate-speed broadband network using fiber optic technology projected to serve up to 40Mb per second. This service is aimed to be operational in 2012 and serve over 40% of households.
In related reports, cable network provider Virgin Media which serves over half of the country with 50Mb per second, is feeling pressure from the government. The latter has expressed plans that it hopes will allow more users to benefit from superfast connections, and has proposed 50 pence monthly tax on all phone lines in the United Kingdom.
Treasury minister Stephen Timms who lead the Digital Britain plan did comment that the proposed tax will help raise the funds to augment the roll-out of speedier broadband networks to rural communities. Though the public perceives this legislative plan out-of-timing with the next election so close, Timms said the tax will surely be passed by parliament before that period.
The government also committed to have 2Mb per second speed provided to all homes by 2012.
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Yahoo is UK portal to use the Google search engine
Though there was widespread speculation that Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, would be chosen to replace its own search engine, they have announced that they chose Google.
Google has been given the license to support the search engine part for BT subscribers, along with collaboration with Yahoo.
A number of Yahoo services, including the search engine, are being provided to all BT subscribers by the portal co – branded by both companies since 2003. In order to increase their own revenue, they have decided to increase the number of people searching through their portal by roping in Google, which has a 90% market share of the search engine market in the country.
Connected Internet, in a report, stated that the number of people using Google were about 2 to 3 times more than the number of people using Google, the most likely reason for this move.
Yahoo has sold search engine rights to Microsoft at the same time that this agreement with Google was penned, meaning that all search queries made on Yahoo are powered by Bing, although the branding and design will be done by Yahoo. Ad sales from customers of both companies will be under the full control of Yahoo.
If this deal between Yahoo and Microsoft goes through, it will give Bing a 30% market share of the US and will be implemented through the course of the agreement, which will last for 10 years.
For Yahoo, a Google partnership isn’t something new as a previous agreement with regard to an advertisement deal didn’t get through due to concerns from governments that they might get a monopoly in the search engine and ad sales market. This attempt at a deal with Google had come after talks with Microsoft for Bing had not run the full course before it collapsed.
Dedicated BT Broadband Outlets to be opened soon
All people who are looking for very fast broadband connections will be able to walk in to a BT shop and shown a demo on the range of services available before they make up their mind on which service to avail of.
2 new stores will be opened exclusively for customers to visit so that they will be able to view demos of the newest broadband services that are on the BT products list. This was revealed in some plans that had been released by BT recently.
The main aim of this service is to give the public an idea of the very – fast broadband services that BT has to offer as well as to give them a chance to ask them about the advantages of the services, thereby enabling them to clear any doubts that they may have.
Whitchurch, near to Cardiff, will see the opening of the first such outlet. Muswell Hill, Hampshire, will be host to the second outlet. This information was obtained from the consumer electronics news and reviews website, T3.
The inspiration behind the opening of these two outlets is to give a good idea to potential customers of the benefits of BT broadband services and also to improve the relationship between BT and potential customers, according to Matthew Dearden, BT Retail’s marketing director.
Mr Dearden continued by saying that the showcase will reveal the people in the area all about super – fast broadband and that they would be able to see how the variety of home as well as business applications will enhance their standard of living.
The opening of future outlets will depend on the success of these 2 outlets. BT also announced plans to bring the total number of Wi-Fi hotspots to 1 million after they revealed the presence of 500,000 hotspots.
Fixed line broadband for businesses now offered by O2 and BT
In their individual pursuits to render reliable and affordable communications link, 02 and BT Wholesale recently signed a new deal for five years. This deal involved delivering a fixed-line and business broadband services to areas within and beyond that they are currently serving.
With this new agreement which was received positively by consumers, BT will underpin the entry of 02 into the market of business communications. This will mean that 02 will be responsible for designing and managing a loyal portal and service management center. It also means that 02 will undertake all operations aspect involved in business communications.
The joined-up package from 02 should be more helpful to business pursuits in marketing and sales as it is deemed a unified solution for all business telecom demands. This will mean that mobile connection, fixed line, data and broadband will be brought forth to customers as one package. For consumers, this mean ease in billings and payments, while for both BT and 02, it means that they are saving from administrative and operational expense.
Ronan Dunne, CEO of 02 in the United Kingdom sees the partnership positively, particularly for the consumers of both BT and their company. He said that working with BT Wholesale opened doors of opportunity for their company to give their business clients a reliable end-to-end service with their varied connections now served as one.
Dunne also added that alongside the package will be the unique consultancy that 02 have been known to provide its consumers. “We see this deal as an exciting prospect for 02 to widen its range of products for our consumers in the business sector.
On the other hand, BT Wholesale announced recently its partnership with Vodafone. Soon, Vodafone will also offer fixed-line communications to the UK business sector.
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BT broadband services to be more flexible
BT announced the introduction of a new service which will utilise next – generation technology which will give customer a newer way of communicating with others and accessing the internet and hoped that it would be popular with all of its existing and potential customers.
BT also revealed that their 21st century network (21CN) technology as well as a sole backhaul link will be used to provide broadband service providers in the country with a higher variety of options.
This innovative system could result in less costs for consumers as operating it is cheaper for operators regardless of the fact that it is the best available. The system is to be known as Wholesale Broadband Managed Connect (WBMC) over IPstream.
A number of companies which were mulling possibly making use of 24 Mbps fibre – optics and copper phone lines would be able to utilise this service, Sian Baldwin, the director of BT broadband said.
After the high level of work carried about by BT, the new product that BT have come up with is definitely something that will benefit the users no doubt, said the sales and marketing director at Griffin Internet.
He also said that this IPstream Connect services is a better way to have an inter-connection with the IP backbone of BT Wholesale and that WBMC will bring about a much better speed for business – grade ADSL to all sizes of businesses, medium and small likewise.
BT is of the hope that, by spring 2010, the use of 21CN equipment will be made possible to at least 55% of internet users in the UK
The goal of 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots in city centres, shops, homes, business and a number of other locations is halfway through completion (500,000 hotspots being currently available), according to an announcement made by BT last month.
BT confirms fibre optic roll-out in January 2010
In pursuit of serving more households and businesses even in rural areas, BT announced with finality that it will launch its fibre optic broadband in January of 2010. It aims to serve 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United Kingdom after six months of its launch.
The first commercial rollout of the BT Company’s advanced fibre-optic broadband was announced by its managing director, Bill Murphy. In the same interview with CBR, Murphy further elaborated that the 40Mb plus fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband internet service is part of their continuing expansion to areas with slow connections or without any connections just yet.
Further, the BT official stated that such a move will complement the growth of its high-speed ADSL2+ services which will bring speed of up to 20Mb to over half of the United Kingdom’s population.
BT sees a positive outcome of their plans for early next year, particularly on the rolling out of the fibre-optic broadband connection, saying that like any successful network, they are keen on offering a service which is highly competitive, reliable and speedier connectivity.
Murphy said that what BT currently provide has been found sufficient, particularly the speed, but more and more consumers are clamoring for even added speed. This is why BT is offering newer, faster solutions through the fibre-optic broadband connection.
On the other hand, BT also just recently piloted the Broadband Enabling Technology called BET in parts of Inverness and Dingwall in Scotland. This move came in response to having their broadband services delivered over long distances. The company targets the same piloting of the BET in other parts of the United Kingdom as well. This plan is to realize the need to provide broadband services to rural areas located about 12 kilometers from a local telephone line exchange.
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BT brings Bolly magic to the tube
There is another reason why broadband users should opt to switch providers as BT gave the most surprising announcement this week. BT Vision launched its new extra to the usual packages it offers which include the television services.
The new addition BT Vision offers is the on-demand programming via the BT facility, where television shows and a wider selection of pay-per-view portal will be available. Dubbed Bolly and Beyond, the BT Vision users can now access and pick their favorite shows from the south Asian region.
Apart from bringing Bolly magic to the tube, BT also signed a five-year deal with Shemaroo Entertainment and MoMedia International. This means that subscribers now have the access to freshest and hottest package contents. Even better, the addition would only cost subscribers £6.85 per month.
Among the package which customers would love seeing on the tube are Bollywood movies which stars Akshay Kumar like Singh Is Kingg. The US rapper and reality TV star Snoop Dogg made a cameo in this movie which also stars Katrina Kaif.
Another Bollywood picture coming to BT Vision subscribers when they make a switch would be Luck, which stars Imran Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Aishwariya Rai and Jodha Akbar, and other classic films featuring the glitzy Bollywood celebrities.
BT Vision will also cover the most-watched and successful TV shows. Examples are the celebrity talk show Kofee with Karan, soap operas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi and childrens programs like Jungle Tales and many others.
Chief executive of BT Vision, Marc Watson, expressed his positive views of the company’s move to offer this option to their subscribers and new customers. He said that there had always been a great demaind for Bollywood to be included in the tube, and now BT Vision has brought the magic of Bollywood and other south Asian entertainment at affordable costs.
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BT brings rural areas faster broadband connection
UK homes without broadband service yet will now benefit from the new piloted BT technology. The Broadband Enabling Technology (BET) provides up to 2 Mbps for homes, eliminating the struggles for slow internet speed of dial-up.
In sync with the government’s commitment to provide broadband to UK homes by 2012, over 3 million households belonging to the “notspots” will surely get connections with BET.
This development came after a successful trial of the same technology in Scotland carried out by Openreach, the BT arm in the country. For the said trial period, a wider coverage was served to the once notspots in the rural Scotland towns. Homes in the area are now served with speedier broadband connection. The same trial will be conducted in eight more locations which will include West Midlands, West Sussex, Norfolk and Berkshire.
Soon, homes outside of the 12-kilometer area distance from telephone services in the area will get broadband service, decreasing largely the number of notspots in the region.
John Small, Openreach managing director for service delivery, echoed foreseen positive outcome of getting more notspots connected. He said the company is working out details with different area authorities to effectively implement the technology.
Forrester analyst Ian Fogg expressed his view on BET, saying it is an evolution, not a panacea that offers modest download speeds.
Despite the seemingly bright future to have notspots finally have broadband service, some groups and individuals remain skeptical about the BT move. Cumbria resident and advocate for improved broadband, Lindsey Annison, said that broadband is not the problem and it’s impractical to bring such advanced communications to rural areas.
Other groups expressed the same sentiments that a telephone company with sufficient experience should not be providing such a solution. It is unclear, however, what alternative positions these groups and individual users demand.
